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Photos by Lisa Petz / Special to The times-tribune
Carbondale photographer Lisa Petz put together the Military Heroes of NEPA 2014 Calendar, featuring candid portraits of 13 local veterans, including, clockwise from top left, Sid Prejean, Anee Kish and Earl Granville. All proceeds will benefit Catholic Social Services' St. Francis Commons project.

Lisa Petz had been searching for a way to use her artistic abilities for a good cause.

Then, through an encounter one day with a well-known local veteran, the Carbondale photographer was inspired to focus those energies on the men and women who served this country in uniform.

The result of Ms. Petz's efforts is Military Heroes of NEPA, a 2014 calendar featuring 13 candid portraits of local veterans. The calendar costs $15 (or $25 for two), with all proceeds benefiting St. Francis Commons, a 30-unit transitional housing facility for homeless veterans being built by Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton.

"Getting to meet them all in person, and hearing their stories firsthand, was incredible," Ms. Petz said of the vets. "I can't even say how amazing each of them is."

On Friday, Ms. Petz will hold a meet-and-greet with the calendar's subjects from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hilton Scranton and Conference Center as part of the First Friday Art Walk in downtown Scranton. The photos will be on display, and nearly all of the veterans featured in the calendar, which runs from December 2013 to December 2014 will attend.

Earlier in the evening, at 5:30, Ms. Petz will hold a balloon launch at Lackawanna County Courthouse Square. Attendees will have the chance to attach a letter about a vet to a balloon, and the person who finds the balloon will be encouraged to post on the calendar's Facebook page.

Inspired by veteran

A professional photographer for the past two-and-a-half years, Ms. Petz, 27, said the project came out of a conversation she had with fellow Carbondale native and former Army Staff Sgt. Earl Granville, who lost his left leg in a bombing while serving in Afghanistan.

In spite of his disability, Mr. Granville has led an active, vigorous life, advocating on behalf of veterans issues and competing in marathons.

"He really inspired me," said Ms. Petz, whose father served in the military. "I thought, 'There have to be a lot more people in the area like this.' They're like hidden heroes in a way."

From there, Ms. Petz decided the calendar would be a good vehicle for spotlighting the vets. Beginning in late March, she began her search, using local VFWs and American Legions, Facebook and The Times-Tribune for leads.

Her criterion was straightforward: the vets she considered had to be actively involved in the community.

Ms. Petz let each of her subjects pick the place where they wanted to be photographed. For Mr. Wenzel, a Vietnam War veteran and triple amputee, it was the handicapped-accessible treehouse at Nay Aug Park that bears his name. Mrs. Kish, who became one of the first members of the Marine Corps during World War II, chose the Gino Merli Veterans Center, where she volunteers.

Mr. Griffin, an Army engineer in Vietnam, chose Hricak-McAndrew American Legion Post 869 in Archbald, where he resides.

"It was a wonderful experience, something I've never experienced before. I felt like I was the president," Mr. Griffin said. "She did a fantastic job."

"I think it's great," added Mr. Granville, who was photographed at Nay Aug's veterans memorial. "I love that she has all the generations in there, both men and women."

Ms. Petz spent a significant amount of time securing sponsors for the calendar, and she managed to get a local nonprofit to print 1,000 of them for free.

She looked into several military-oriented charities before hearing about St. Francis Commons.

"It was perfect," she said. "I thought, 'This is 100 percent where the money needs to go.'"

A number of others have reached out to help. For instance, on Dec. 7, TLC at Northeastern Rehabilitation Associates will sponsor a 5K walk/run and donate the proceeds to the calendar project.

Ms. Petz expects to plan other events in the coming months. And the project has led her to other volunteer endeavors, like joining the Waymart Volunteer Fire Company.

"I'm completely inspired by these people," she said. "It was so much work, but I would do it again in a heartbeat."

Details: The meet-and-greet will feature veterans who appear in the calendar, as well as basket raffles and food and drink specials. The calendar costs $15 for one or $25 for two and will be available for purchase at the event and at other venues listed at Facebook.com/MilitaryHeroesofNEPA. All proceeds benefit the St. Francis Commons project.

Upcoming: On Monday, Nov. 11, and Sunday, Dec. 1, Ms. Petz will sell the calendars at Viewmont Mall. They'll also be available for purchase at a 5K walk/run being held at TLC at Northeastern Rehabilitation Associates on Saturday, Dec. 7. Cost is $20 per person, and all proceeds benefit the calendar project. To register, call 570-558-7293, ext. 1.

For more information: Email militaryheroesofnepa@gmail.com, visit the Facebook page or call 570- 840-9295.

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